Multi-molded eyewear apparatus

ABSTRACT

An eyewear apparatus uses a multi-molded design in which a structural component of the eyewear apparatus (e.g., frame) is constructed from multiple molded layers fitted together to appear as a single structural component. For example, a base molded layer of the structural component may include a recessed channel into which an additional molded layer of the structural component may be fitted and affixed. The additional molded layer may be designed such that when the additional molded layer is affixed within the recessed channel of the base molded layer, the base molded layer and the additional molded layer of the structural component appear as a singularly molded physical component. To provide varying designs and/or colors, each molded layer (e.g., the base molded layer and the additional molded layer), may be constructed using a different material, color of material, and/or plating.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/946,842, filed on Dec. 11, 2019, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Conventional eyeglasses are used to protect and/or enhance a user'svision. For example, sunglasses include a frame to house tinted lensesfor protecting a user's eyes from the sun. Likewise, eyeglasses mayinclude prescription lenses to correct a user's vision. Someconventional glasses may also provide aesthetic features to enhance auser's appearance. For example, eyeglass frames may be shaped in adecorative fashion, such as a cat-eye or rounded shape, to enhance theuser's physical appearance. While the shape of the frame may be moldedto provide some fashionable variation, current methods provide limitedoptions for modifying the design or colors of the frame itself. Forexample, eyeglass frames are molded from a single material and aretherefore limited to the color and appearance of the material uses.Generally, these materials provide a single solid color (e.g., black,white, green, blue, etc.), or a limited pattern, such as tortoise shell.To add additional color or design to the frame, current options arelimited to use of accent pieces affixed to the frame orprinting/painting onto the frame. Accent pieces appear separate from theframe, which is not desirable for some designs. Further, printed orpainted designs added to the frame may be difficult to implement andoften degrade over time. Accordingly, improvements are needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various ones of the appended drawings merely illustrate exampleembodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit itsscope to the illustrated embodiments. On the contrary, these examplesare intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents asmay be included within the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an eyewear apparatus for depicting acharacter, according to some example embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2C show an eyewear apparatus constructed utilizing amulti-molded design, according to some example embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example method of constructing aneyewear apparatus using a multi-molded design.

FIG. 4 shows additional examples of an eyewear apparatus constructedutilizing a multi-molded design, according to some example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the subject technology address the problems of conventionaleyewear implementations, which provide limited options for varying thedesigns and/or colors of structural components used to construct aneyewear apparatus. In particular, aspects of the technology provide amulti-molded design in which a structural component of an eyewearapparatus (e.g., frame) may be constructed from multiple molded layersfitted together to appear as a single structural component. For example,a base molded layer of the structural component may include a recessedchannel into which an additional molded layer of the structuralcomponent may be fitted and affixed. The additional molded layer may bedesigned such that when the additional molded layer is affixed withinthe recessed channel of the base molded layer, the base molded layer andthe additional molded layer of the structural component appear as asingularly molded physical component.

To provide varying designs and/or colors, each molded layer (e.g., thebase molded layer and the additional molded layer), may be constructedusing a different material, color of material, and/or plating. Forexample, the base molded layer may be electroplated with a gold plating,while the additional molded layer may be electroplated with a silverplating. Affixing the additional molded layer within the recessedchannel of the base molded layer results in a seemingly singularlymolded structural component that appears to be partially electroplatedwith both gold plating and silver plating.

A base molded layer may include multiple recessed channels, into whichdifferent additional molded layers may be fitted and affixed.Accordingly, multiple additional molded layers may be fitted and affixedinto a single base molded layer. Each additional molded layer may beconstructed using a different material, color of material, and/orplating to provide additional design variation to the eyewear apparatus.Further, an additional molded layer may also include a recessed channelinto which another additional molded layer may be fitted and affixed. Inthis type of embodiments, a singular layer of the structural componentmay be both an additional molded layer configured to be fitted andaffixed into a base molded layer, as well a base molded layer includinga recessed channel into which another additional molded layer may befitted and affixed.

Use of a multi-molded design provides a solution to shortcomings ofcurrent manufacturing techniques because each molded layer provides thebenefit of being manufactured separately, while appearing as a singularphysical component when combined. This allows for multiple textures,colors and/or materials to be integrated into the design of a physicalcomponent without use of accent pieces or printing.

The multi-molded design may be implemented in relation to any structuralcomponent used to construct an eyewear apparatus, such as the frame,earpieces, etc. For example, the multi-molded design may be used inrelation to an additional structure of an eyewear apparatus that is usedto alter an appearance of a user when the eyewear apparatus is worn bythe user. For example, the additional structure may depict the likenessof a character, which allows a user wearing the eyewear apparatus toembody the character's likeness. The additional structure may resembleany portion of a character (e.g., popular television, cartoon character,or animal), such as a face of the character, hair of the character,headwear worn by the character, mask worn by the character, etc.Although, the location of the additional structure in relation to theframe can vary depending on implementation, in some embodiments, theadditional structure is located substantially on the top of the framesuch that the additional structure conceals the forehead of a user whenthe user is wearing the eyewear apparatus. In some embodiments, theadditional structure may be located at any point along the frame,however, in some embodiments, the additional structure is located on thetop or the sides of the frame, such that the additional structure doesnot interfere with the user's ability to see out of the eyewearapparatus.

The multi-molded design may be utilized to create any type of desiredpattern, shape or design within a structural component of the eyewearapparatus. For example, the multi-molded design may be used to create anoutline along edges of a structural component of the eyewear apparatus,such as an outline to the frame. As another example, the multi-moldeddesign may be used to depict a portion of a character, such as bydepicting and/or outlining a feature of the character, such as an eye,mouth, eyebrow, hair, etc., of the character. Further, the multi-moldeddesign may be used to portray an expression of the character, whichallows an individual wearing the eyewear apparatus to embody aparticular emotion or expression. For example, the multi-molded designmay be used to depict features shaped in a particular way to portray anemotion, such as eyebrows tilted downwards towards a nose of a depictedcharacter or user to portray anger.

As explained earlier, electroplating can used to deposit material on tothe substrate material of any structural component and/or molded layerused to construct an eyewear apparatus. For example, electroplating canused to deposit material on to the substrate material of the frame,additional structure, base molded layer, and/or additional molded layerused to construct an eyewear apparatus.

In some embodiments, the electroplating (also called “electrodeposition”or “plating”) process uses electric current to reduce dissolved metalcations (e.g., positively charged ions) so that the cations form a metalcoating on an electrode. An electrode can be understood as an electricalconductor used to make contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit(e.g., a semiconductor, an electrolyte, a vacuum or air).Electroplating, in an example, is used to change the surface propertiesof an object (e.g., abrasion and wear resistance, corrosion protection,lubricity, aesthetic qualities, etc.), and also can be used to build upthickness on parts or to form objects by electroforming. While the aboveexample, of electroplating or plating is describe, any method ofelectroplating or plating may be used.

Similar to the electroplating described above for conductive materials,plating of nonconductive materials (e.g., plastic, polycarbonate, glass,wood, etc.) is also contemplated by embodiments described herein. In anexample, a non-conductive material is metalized by etching the surfaceof the material and coating the etched surface with a first conductivematerial (e.g., a metal such as copper or nickel). Subsequently, anelectroplating process may be used to further coat the now metalizedmaterial with another second metal such as gold, nickel, copper, orchrome.

Plating may be utilized for forming a metal coating on a physicalcomponent and/or molded layer used to construct an eyewear apparatus.For example, various metals, such as copper, gold, silver or nickel, maybe used to modify the surface of a physical component and/or moldedlayer to provide a desired appearance or aesthetic, which may introducereflective properties. Further, electroplating can be used to depositthe same material or different materials on the various structuralcomponents and/or molded layers. For example, plating of the base moldedlayer and/or the additional molded layer can be performed usingdifferent metals and materials to help define a design, such as aportion of a character, outline, etc.

Advantages of using electroplating include added aesthetic appeal andsurface protection from corrosion and other types of damage. Onedrawback with using electroplating is that different portions of asingle structural component cannot be electroplated with differentmaterials. Use of the multi-molded design alleviates this issue, as eachmolded layer (e.g., base molded layer and additional molded layer) canbe electroplate separately with different metals and then combined tocreate the appearance of a singular structural component.

Reference will now be made in detail to specific example embodiments forcarrying out the inventive subject matter of the present disclosure. Inthe following description, specific details are set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the subject matter. It shall beappreciated that embodiments may be practiced without some or all ofthese specific details.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an eyewear apparatus 100 fordepicting a character, according to some example embodiments, Theeyewear apparatus 100 includes a frame 102 comprising a first eyepiece104 and a second eyepiece 106 connected by a bridge portion 108 of theframe 102. The first eyepiece 104 and the second eyepiece 106 eachinclude an aperture in which a lens can be disposed. As shown, a firstlens 110 is disposed within the aperture of the first eyepiece 104, anda second lens 112 is disposed within the aperture of the second eyepiece106. The first lens 110 and the second lens 112 can be any type of knownlens used for eyewear, such as tinted lenses, prescription lenses, clearlenses, bifocal lenses, etc. Each lens 110 and 112 may be constructed ofa suitable material such as glass, plastic, composites, etc., and insome embodiments may be tinted and/or include UV (ultraviolet) lightprotection.

The eyewear apparatus 100 further includes a first earpiece 114 coupledto the first eyepiece 104, and a second earpiece 116 coupled to thesecond eyepiece 106. The first earpiece 114 and the second earpiece 116can be coupled to the first eyepiece 114 and the second eyepiece 106using any known technique, such as by screws, glue, hinge, etc.

The eyewear apparatus 100 is configured to be fitted around a user'sface such that the first earpiece 114 is supported by a first ear of theuser, the second earpiece 116 is supported by a second ear of the user,and the bridge portion 118 of the frame 102 is supported by a nose ofthe user. When the eyewear apparatus 100 is fitted around a user's face,the first eyepiece 104 and the second eyepiece 106 are aligned with theuser's eyes to allow the user to see through the first lens 110 disposedwithin the first eyepiece 104 and the second lens 112 disposed withinthe second eyepiece 106.

The eyewear apparatus 100 further includes an additional structure 118that is coupled to the frame 102, such that the additional structure 118covers a portion of a forehead of the user when the eyewear apparatus100 is fitted around the face of the user. The additional structure 118can depict a portion of a character, For example, the additionalstructure 118 can resemble a character's mask, face, etc., such that thefirst lens 110 and the second lens 112 represent the character's eyesand/or eye slots in the character's mask.

The additional structure 118 may be coupled to the frame 102 using anysuitable method. For example, the additional structure 118 may becoupled to the frame 102 using screws or an adhesive material (e.g.,glue) to attach the additional structure 118 to the frame 102. Inanother embodiment, the additional structure 118 and the frame 102 maybe coupled by forming the additional structure 118 and frame 102together as a single piece included in the eyewear apparatus 100.

The additional structure 118 may depict a portion of a character, acharacter's mask, a helmet worn by a character, etc. A user may fit theeyewear apparatus 100 around the user's face to create the illusion thatthe user is wearing the character's mask and/or is the character. Theadditional structure 118 can be designed in any desired shape toproperly depict a character, character's mask, character's helmet, etc.

As explained above, a multi-molded design may be implemented toconstruct any physical structure of the eyewear apparatus 100. Forexample, the multi-molded design may be used to construct the frame 102,the first earpiece 114, the second earpiece 116, and/or the additionalstructure 118. Although the eyewear apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1depicts includes an additional structure 118 and depicts the likeness ofa character, this is just one example and is not meant to be limiting.The multi-molded design may be implemented in relation to physicalcomponents of any type of eyewear apparatus, including eyewearapparatuses meant for novelty purposes to depict a character, as well aseyewear apparatuses meant purely for aesthetics and/or visionenhancement purposes. Examples of the multi-molded design used toconstruct structural components of an eyewear apparatus are shown belowin relation to FIGS. 2A-2C.

FIGS. 2A-2C show an eyewear apparatus 200 constructed utilizing amulti-molded design, according to some example embodiments. FIG. 2Ashows a front view of the eyewear apparatus 200. The eyewear apparatus200 includes a frame 202 comprising a first eyepiece 204 and a secondeyepiece 206 connected by a bridge portion 208 of the frame 202. Thefirst eyepiece 204 and the second eyepiece 206 each include an aperturein which a lens can be disposed. As shown, a first lens 210 is disposedwithin the aperture of the first eyepiece 204, and a second lens 212 isdisposed within the aperture of the second eyepiece 206.

As shown, the frame 200 is constructed using a multi-molded design. Forexample, the frame 200 is constructed from a base molded layer 214 andan additional molded layer 216. The base molded layer 214 includes arecessed channel into which the additional molded layer 216 may befitted and affixed, resulting in a seemingly singular structuralcomponent (e.g., frame 202). The additional molded layer 216 may beaffixed to the base molded layer 214 using any suitable attachmentmeans, such as with glue, screws, nails, clips, etc.

The base molded layer 214 and the additional molded layer 216 may bemanufactured using different materials, colors, and/or plating. Forexample, as shown, the base molded layer 214 is plated with a metallicgold coating, and the additional molded layer 216 is constructed using ared material. When affixed to each other, the base molded layer 214 andthe additional molded layer 216 appear as a singular structuralcomponent (e.g., frame 202) that includes different finishes (e.g., goldand red). In the shown example, the base molded layer 214 provides ametallic gold outline to the frame 202, and the additional molded layer216 provides a red interior within the metallic gold outline. FIG. 2Bshows a top view of the eyewear apparatus 200. As shown, the base moldedlayer 212 provides a border to the frame 202, within which theadditional molded layer is fitted.

FIG. 2C shows an exploded view of the eyewear apparatus 200. As shown,the base molded layer 214 includes a recessed channel 218 into which theadditional molded layer 216 can be fitted and affixed to create aseemingly singular structural component (e.g., frame 202). While therecessed channel 218 in the shown example is on a front side of the basemolded layer 214, in some embodiments, the recessed channel 218 oranother recessed channel 218 may be included on the back side of thebase molded layer 214. One advantage of utilizing a multi-molded designis that the cost and difficulty associated with production is reduced.For example, by manufacturing the base molded layer 214 and additionalmolded layer 216 separately, each may be constructed using a differentmaterial, color, and/or plating, which greatly simplifies the process ofincorporating multiple colors, designs and/or materials into a singularstructural component used to construct an eyewear apparatus 200.Further, once the molds for constructing the base molded layer 214 andadditional molded. layer 216 are completed, the base molded layer 214and additional molded layer 216 may be each manufactured using differentmaterials, colors, and/or plating to create various versions of thestructural component.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example method 300 of constructing aneyewear apparatus 200 using a multi-molded design.

At step 302, a base molded layer 214 is molded. The base molded layer214 may be molded using any suitable material, such as plastic, metal,etc. The material used to mold the base molded layer 214 may be anydesired color or include any desired texture or finish. The base moldedlayer 214 may include a recessed channel 218 into which an additionalmolded layer 216 may be fitted and affixed.

At step 304, the base molded layer 214 is electroplated using firstplating. For example, the base molded layer 214 may be electroplatedwith a gold plating, silver plating, etc. Step 304 is an optional step.In some embodiments, the base molded layer 214 is not electroplated.

At step 306, an additional molded layer 216 is molded. The additionalmolded layer 216 may be molded using any suitable material, such asplastic, metal, etc. The material used to mold the additional moldedlayer 216 may be any desired color or include any desired texture orfinish, including the same or different color, texture, or finish usedto mold the base molded layer 214. The additional molded layer 216 isdesigned (shaped, sized) to be fitted and affixed within the recessedchannel 218 of the base molded layer 214.

At step 308, the additional molded layer 216 is electroplated using asecond plating. For example, the additional molded layer 216 may beelectroplated with a gold plating, silver plating, etc., that isdifferent than the first plating used in relation to the base moldedlayer 214. Step 308 is an optional step. In some embodiments, theadditional molded layer 216 is not electroplated.

At step 310, the additional molded layer 216 is fitted and affixedwithin the recessed channel 218 of the base molded layer 214. Affixingthe additional molded layer 216 within the recessed channel 218 of thebase molded layer 214 results in a seemingly singular structuralcomponent (e.g., frame 202, first earpiece 204, second earpiece 206,additional structure 118, etc.) which includes different colors,textures, and/or plating.

FIG. 4 shows additional examples of an eyewear apparatus constructedutilizing a multi-molded design, according to some example embodiments.Three additional embodiments are shown, in which a multi-molded designis used. The shown embodiments include varying sizes, thicknesses andshapes of the base molded layers and additional molded layers. Further avariety of material colors and designs are used in the different layers(e.g., base molded layers and additional molded layers) of eachembodiments.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been describedwith reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident thatvarious modifications and changes may be made to these embodimentswithout departing from the broader scope of the inventive subjectmatter. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regardedin an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The accompanyingdrawings that form a part hereof show by way of illustration, and not oflimitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may bepracticed. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficientdetail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachingsdisclosed herein. Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom,such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of this disclosure. This DetailedDescription, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thescope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims,along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims areentitled.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent, to those of skill inthe art, upon reviewing the above description.

All publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in thisdocument are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, asthough individually incorporated by reference. In the event ofinconsistent usages between this document and those documents soincorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated referencesshould be considered supplementary to that of this document; forirreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respectiveterms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, theterms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended; that is, a system,device, article, or process that includes elements in addition to thoselisted after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within thescope of that claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. An eyewear apparatus comprising: a frameincluding a first eyepiece and a second eyepiece, the frame comprising abase molded layer including a first recessed channel, and a firstadditional molded layer fitted within the first recessed channel andaffixed to the base molded layer; a first earpiece coupled to the firsteye piece; and a second earpiece coupled to the second eye piece,wherein the frame is configured to be fitted around the face of a usersuch that the first earpiece is supported by a first ear of the user andthe second earpiece is supported by a second ear of the user.
 2. Theeyewear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base molded layer iselectroplated using a first plating material.
 3. The eyewear apparatusof claim 2, wherein the first additional molded layer is electroplatedusing a second plating material that is different than the first platingmaterial.
 4. The eyewear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base moldedlayer includes a second recessed channel, and a second additional moldedlayer is fitted within the second recessed channel and affixed to thebase molded layer.
 5. The eyewear apparatus of claim 4, wherein thefirst additional molded layer is a first color and the second additionalmolded layer is a second color.
 6. The eyewear apparatus of claim 5,wherein the first additional molded layer is electroplated using a firstmaterial.
 7. The eyewear apparatus of claim 5, wherein the firstadditional molded layer is formed using a first material and the secondadditional molded layer is formed using a second material that isdifferent than the first molded material.
 8. The eyewear apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the base molded layer is a third color, that isdifferent than the first color and the second color.
 9. The eyewearapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first additional molded layer includesa second recessed channel, and a second additional molded layer isfitted within the second recessed channel and affixed to the firstadditional molded layer.
 10. The eyewear apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe first additional molded layer is electroplated using a first platingand the second the additional molded layer is electroplated using asecond plating that is different than the first plating.